Tuesday, 10 January 2012
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Being a Fat Chick: Awareness
Fat is the last acceptable prejudice. But why?
I think it's because, to a certain extent, it's something that we can control. We can't control our race, ethnicity, gender or sexuality. Fat people? They're ugly, gross, smelly, lazy, and have no willpower. In America, however, most people are fat people. I am one of them. I'm the fat chick you see with skinny friends, except most of my friends are also fat. I'm the woman who glares at the skinny chicks checking themselves out in a mirror, doing the ritual "I'm so fat/no you're not, I'm fat!" talk.
That's the way the world is now.
This is the new U.S. Food Pyramid. How many of you know this pyramid? My guess is, not many. People go to nutritionists, doctors, plastic surgeons, and various health stores to find a miracle cure for being fat. You fear gaining weight yet find comfort in the knowledge that your friend also ordered that chocolatey dessert that's probably about a billion calories.
What are we really afraid of? Is it the myriad of health issues that being overweight causes? Or is it the fear of being judged and deemed unworthy by society? No one wants to be that fat person that needs to be lifted by a crane out of their home. No one wants to even be a little pudgy and have a muffin top. When I'm in a restaurant I take my time with the menu, choosing between what I want and what I probably should eat instead. I think about what the waiter thinks about my choice of food and drinks and if they are disgusted with me and my seemingly lack of willpower. When I'm in the cafeteria at college, I look at all the food laid out for meals and think about what all of these people around me are thinking of me and the food on my plate. When I'm out of breath walking up a few flights of stairs and enter a classroom where my classmates don't have that trouble, I wonder if they're annoyed by the heavy-breathing fat chick.
Accept and love your body, and only change if you want to, and change only to be healthier. Not prettier, skinnier, or any of the other 'ers' out there. Be conscious of your thoughts and actions; next time you go out in public, think about the social stigma fat people go through every day, in private and in public.
What do you think about fat as an acceptable prejudice? Do you think that it's acceptable? Share your thoughts on this post in the comment section below!
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About the Author
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- From: Burdukali@xanga
- Name: Stephanie
- Location: Burlington, Vermont, United States
- About Me: I am healing my heart, my mind, and my soul. I am healing my body with healthy food and exercise, and self-awareness. This is my journey of discovery & uncertainty. Come join me <3
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Comments (102)
@ipink_berry@xanga - I completely agree! As long as you are at a healthy body weight, then good for you. I am 5'10" and 140 lbs. and seriously need to work out. I am sure there are many people who weigh more than I do yet are fitter than I am. It's true! :) I think it's so mean for society to make fun of so-called fat people. Leave them alone!
@splinter1591@xanga - Well smoking is deadly for non-smokers to breathe in. I had a family friend who died because her husband would not stop smoking. Oh yeah he still smokes even in front of his daughter.
As a result of that how can I sympathize with smokers?
They kill.
I only respect smokers who quit completely. Which means they stop smoking for life. Yes I am straight edge and proud of it. I do not drink either.
:)
@DrummingMediocrity@xanga - Yes there are a lot of ignorant people out there. And people have no right to judge based on the way someone looks.
But please, don't call them "fatties". You're being hypocritical. You were put down for your weight just as i was, but that doesn't mean we have to put others down too for the same reason. (weight)I'm sure what people said about you have hurt you (me too), and what you said would probably hurt someone right back. Let's not do that. We know how it feels, we relate to them.
My point was that it hurts us ALL no matter our weight, and that we all face the same excruciating emotional pain others have bestowed upon us with their words, actions, and thoughts.
@millionofstars@xanga - and my dad is going to die early and leave 3 children and a wife.
@splinter1591@xanga - I am so sorry for your family. May I offer my love to all of you.
♥♥♥
I think it's on both sides. Too many bones showing, you get ridiculed for being too skinny. Too many cruves, and you get called a heifer. Nobody wins. I've known many girls who were in the 'inbetween' and were not found attractive even though they were at a very healthy weight. I think the male mind is so corrupted on what a female should look like, that nobody can see inner beauty over outer beauty. I just shrug off most comments, laugh, and go about my day. What really makes me laugh, though, is that the guys who call me fat look like their faces got hit by a train and have beer guts... get over yourselves guys. At least I don't have cities running away from me in horror at just the sight of my face. I bet that even as a 'fatty', I get laid more than they do. Maybe if people would adjust their attitude, we wouldn't be so scared of society or what others think.
People for the most part are fat because they eat more calories than they burn. Simple as that. Why do they eat more than they burn? Because they like food. Food tastes good. Food makes many of us feel good. There is nothing better to me (well, mostly nothing better) then chomping down on a grilled steak burger with mustard, tomatoes, lettuce, and raw onion. MOST people in this country are overweight because they like to eat. Who the hell doesn't have a problem with doing things that ARE NOT good for them? Some people LUST and are promiscuous. Being promiscuous can be more unhealthy than over eating. Some people are GREEDY bastards and would rather see another become homeless or starve to death before handing over a dime to a charity to help them out. Some people are frickin LAZY. To me being a lazy ass is worse than being fat. (The CDC reports that 1/3 of Americans are obese and even more are just overweight.) That tells me that just because a person is fat does not make them lazy. Lots of fat people work hard for their money. The problem with over eating is that it SHOWS. While the other character flaws can be hidden. When I see a fat person, I don't think anything more than that they over eat. Period. Fat people are no different from anyone else, they just weigh more. Their poison is overeating, and everyone else has their own poison. Everyone loses control over some aspect of their lives. I hate when people judge fat people especially while they have a cigarette hanging out of their mouth and a drink in their hand while in the midst of a jealous rant about how their significant other said "hi" to somebody,
Everyone is entitled to their own lifestyle. I accept that there will always be fat people and i'm okay with it. The only thing i have problems with is when an obese whines that they're fat and then they continue to eat unhealthy foods and wear tight fitting clothes. Given some people have a genetic disposition to being fat, it's unfair or me to judge just on the surface but there's a fine line between denial and reasonable actions.
Some people who are fat have an eating disorder called "compulsive overeating" or "binge eating disorder" it is an eating disorder where food is used to comfort oneself or as an anti-depressant & I hate how nobody seems to know about these eating disorders (it's like people think that eating disorders only exist in thin people)
So the way I see it is that everyone is fighting their own battle and belittling them just because of their weight doesn't help them win.
try doing 5 situps daily, then increase it.
what the hell kind of question what that .. live your own life, mind your own business .. this isn't even discussion worthy .. if you can't accept or at least tolerate other people no matter their size, because clearly race, gender, sexuality, etc, doesn't matter to you, i believe that's YOUR problem .. "last accepted prejudice" indeed! .. why? because you said so? .. there is no such thing as an accepted prejudice! .. bite me!
@ipink_berry@xanga - "I don't think very thin and frail is attractive at
all. Women should have curves." ...you don't have to put other people down to make someone else feel good. Let's not be prejudiced about fat people. And let's not be prejudiced about skinny people.
How about we just focus on not being prejudiced in general? No one likes to feel inadequate.
I cant decide whether this post is ok or angers me. I am a woman on the heavier side. The difference is that while 5 years ago I was fat, unhealthy, unfit, and making bad choices, Now I am still fat (but not as fat) but I walk 5 miles a day, I havent eaten fast food in nearly 5 years, and I play sports in an adult league, well. Dont get me wrong - I'm still fat. But its really my body shape. There's nothing I can do about it. But now, just by eating right and walking, I have a beautiful hourglass shape that, quite frankly, I love. I have meat on my bones. I still cant buy clothes in a "regular" store - but I'm getting there. I know there are all sorts of medical reasons why people cant lose weight. However, most medical conditions dont prohibit you from BEING as healthy as you can be.
Just try to do it for yourself if you can. Its really the best thing for you. And I'm sorry if there are any underlying reasons for the weight, but just take care of yourself. That goes for anybody - fat,skinny, white, blue, green, male, female.
Take care of yourself. You'll feel better ALL AROUND if you do. Attitude, health, life. Take care of yourself.
My entire family is morbidly obese-- and I was well on my way there-- then I decided to hell with that and started eating healthier-- and now I'm in the healthy weight range. That being said-- I'm a little bias because I see the choices they make...
While I am not fat or overweight, I do sympathize with you. I see guys smoking ciggs and mocking at someone who is fat with disgust written all over their faces. Yet, I don't see how they are "right" when it comes to terms of health. I think people in general will try to knock someone down any way they can...and I believe society today thinks they can do and act as if its "righteous" because they can say "its unhealthy." Thats my personal opinion. I never bash anyone for them being obese or overweight...
So stand proud and do what is best for you and only you. We live on this planet only once...make the most of it :)
@a_soul_in_tension@xanga - Calm the hell down. Shes talking about it from her perspective. Good lord.
First, I overall agree with you. Only exception is the dating arena, since you cannot ask people to be attracted to a body type they are not. It shouldn't be your motivation to lose weight ( it could be much easier to just find a guy who likes you as you are), but I would roll my eyes if a girl who was overweight boohooed to me about it unless she was already making efforts to lose weight.
I think there is a difference between being a little overweight and being morbidly obese. While I don't think either should have to necessary endure ridicule, being obese is disgusting. It represents that something is very very wrong with you, either medically or mentally. If I would find myself with a morbidly obese friend, I don't know how I could NOT be bothered. I have have several friends that are IMO, completely normal looking who talk about losing this or that, and I just smile and say okay since I know they are doing it in a healthy way and I'm not going to discourage a person from being healthier.
I've never had a problem with people who are 'fat' or 'overweight', I get along with pretty much everyone. I myself have my moments where self-control isn't in my vocabulary and I want to much out on everything in my sight and later regret it when I can't fit into my favorite jeans, though I'm only about 160ish I do miss my 125/130ish days.
What I do have a problem with is the people who are unhealthily over weight and complain about it and do nothing to make it any better. I don't feel sympathy for those people, nor do I feel that they deserve a handicap sign to be closer to the front door of the grocery stores. I'm not saying they should park 2miles away but they shouldn't get a handicap sticker just because your 'fat' and don't know when to say when.
I don't think you should change yourself to please society or others, if you're really comfortable being a size 16 or whatever then be that but don't expect everyone else to work around you.
If you don't want people judging fat people, leave skinnier people alone!
Because, as far as I'm concerned each individual can have their own criteria for what is their proper weight.
I am 5'3 and 110 pounds and I consider myself overweight!
I'm on a diet trying to lose 10 pounds and I get people telling me to eat cake.
Well, fuck off!
Obese people think because they are 100 plus pounds overweight that other thinner people can just chow down on freaking cake all the time and be cool-- ummmm NO, we all have our personal weight goals.
I get it that your 587 pound self cannot comprehend why I, at 110 pounds, could possibly want to lose more weight, but don't go judging me if you don't want to be judged yourself!
(Even worse is when these mega-fatties say how 'lucky' I am... YOU IGNORANT PIECE OF SHITE... lucky?!?!?! Like I can sit my arse in front of the telly, eat junk food and stay slim? IT'S CALLED MAINTENANCE! I am slim because I KEEP myself that way, you gelatinous sack of blubber!)
(I was in a pisspoor mood until I thought up gelatinous sack of blubber-- now I can't stop loling! Okay, even if you are a sensetive obese person, you have to admit that's pretty good, eh? eh? WHERE'S YOUR SENSE OF SELF-DEPRECATING HUMOR?)
Why can't people just leave each other the fuck alone?
We always have to go bitchin' at people over their personal affairs.
(Notice, I said we, haha, I know I be hatin'-- but hey admitting the problem is one of the steps, eh? I'm way past denial, but not anyway near stopping.......uh yeah-- here's where you say, thanks for that, Captain Obvious, anything else glaringly apparent you'd like to add?)
Geez!
@blondiedeam@xanga - The problem is that women with tiny frames were popular and the apple of beauty after Twiggy hit the scene. So curvaceous, larger women started to push to change the societal standard to the point where it's now overkill. They've simply started flipping the table.
No prejudice is good. Constructive criticism is good. But as is proved constructive criticism is not going to heal the epidemic sweeping across this country, killing millions everyday- directly and indirectly. Obesity is being considered a modern day plague.
SO why do so many people fat-bash? Some because they're haters and just straight up think they're better than you. I am not one of these people. I hate fat. Not fat people necessarily, but fat.So many people being overweight significantly increases the carbon footprint of the human population. To be fat is to be selfish. Not only are you choosing to destroy the precious body you were given, inflicting diseases upon yourself that wouldn't be possible with the average american diet , but you are choosing to make an active step to destroy the world also. You are wasteful with your food choices, and more often than not wasteful with other choices. Such eating efforts should be perhaps shifted to efforts towards those around the world who DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT. BEING FAT is an exemplification of how NEEDS AND GOODS around this world are so completely UNEVENLY DISTRIBUTED, resulting from a CAPITALIST society that is always screaming MORE! If we learned to stop wanting so much SHIT (not just food, but all this STUFF) we could send these things we no longer need to starving, desolate people around the world.it's not just about you. Your fat just shows how much you have and how much others do not.
If we didn't think we needed so much, others would have more of what they need.
@MoonPrincess88@xanga - yes, this is her perspective that i found as a public post which is an implied invitation for me to express mine .. she clearly stated, "Fat is the last acceptable prejudice." .. i disagree, and i'm positive there are a lot of mothers of bullied school children who would agree with me .. .. .. and then there's you .. i will express my opinions however i wish while there's some shreds left of the Constitution .. seems you could practice a bit more tolerance and/or acceptance as well .. "calm the hell down" .. good Lord .. .. .. i said it wasn't discussion worthy and you would be why .. don't attack my opinion and think it debate
again, this is an individual's right to live as one chooses, y'all don't want to play nice with fat people, whatev hater
@temporarilyinnocent@xanga - wow congrats!!! That's absolutely amazing.
I'm not by any means overweight, but at 135 lbs and 5'3", I could definitely shed 10-20 lbs to look my best. I actually ate
I don't agree. I think mental illness is the last acceptable prejudice.
Also, that food pyramid is what they taught us in 1997 in first grade. Now it's "my plate," and before that "my pyramid." You're behind two whole food guides. If you checked the website that might help you to be informed and maybe learn how to eat right to lose weight.
If there was no incentive and no social stigma against obesity, we'd all be obese. I'm sorry, but that's not healthy. Who cares if you're 20 lbs overweight, but the consequences of obesity extend well beyond the individual. We need SOME accountability.
Also, I'm not overweight but I have all those same thoughts you listed. No matter how much you weigh, insecurity is an issue. So it's not just a fat people problem. It's a self-esteem problem. Being a healthy weight SHOULD be what people strive for...it just makes sense.
To back myself I am on anti-psychotics that cause substantial weight gain and previously dealt with eating issues. I know what it's like to not feel emotional relief until my stomach is so full that everything comes up involuntarily. Weight is a shitty thing to deal with, but we shouldn't accept obesity and its health problems and burdens towards the rest of society.